What to include
Your full name, job title, employment start date, employment type (full-time, part-time, contract), and gross annual or monthly salary. Company letterhead where possible.
Employment letter for your rental application
An employment letter confirms your job status, income, and tenure. It is one of the most requested supporting documents by agents and landlords — and one of the easiest to get wrong.
What makes a strong employment letter
Who should write it
Your direct manager, HR department, or payroll team. The signer should include their name, title, and direct contact details for verification.
Keep it recent
Letters older than 30 days may be questioned. Ask for a fresh one close to your application date. Most HR departments can produce this in a day or two.
Self-employed or freelance
Provide your last two tax returns or a letter from your accountant confirming income. Some agents also accept bank statements showing regular deposits.
Format and presentation
A clean PDF is better than a photo of a printed letter. Keep it to one page. Formal language — this supports your application credibility.
Common mistakes
Letter quality checks
- No contact details for verificationAlways include the signer's direct phone or email.
- Outdated letter from a previous roleEach application needs a current letter for your active employment.
- Missing employment type or start dateAgents need both to assess stability.
- Net salary instead of grossAgents typically expect gross annual or monthly figures.
Related renter resources
Include your employment details in a clean application
RentFiles organises your employment, income, and references into a single professional document.
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